Outreach

Community UMC has a strong history of reaching out to others locally and throughout the world. Opportunities frequently arise to provide assistance and spread the Word of God outside our walls. Whether we individually participate in blood drives on a Sunday morning or travel as a group to areas outside our community for disaster relief and mission trips, we are always seeking ways to serve God’s people.

Local Agencies supported by CUMC

FL United Methodist Children’s Home – Located in Enterprise, FL, this ministry of the FL United Methodist Church provides housing and nurturing care to children who have been abused, abandoned, or have experienced a breakdown in their family unit.

The Sharing Center provides assistance with food, clothing, rent and utilities. This agency also maintains a referral directory of services available for the needy. One of several area churches that first founded the center, CUMC not only sends monetary support, but also collects groceries for its food bank several times a year. In addition, many CUMC volunteers work at the center throughout the year. This past summer, we were excited to (once-again) partner with The Sharing Center to buy school shoes for children. The Sharing Center is located on 17-92 in Longwood.

Christian Help is a ministry devoted to preventing homelessness by helping the unemployed find jobs, while providing for them mentally and spiritually. This center, located on Seminola Boulevard in Casselberry, also assists with food and other needs.

Good News Jail Ministry, Seminole County has been supported from its beginning by CUMC. Good News Ministry supports the chaplains at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford. These chaplains receive no government aid and are dependent on funds from churches and individuals. In addition to monetary support, CUMC supplies goody bags for the inmates at Christmas.

Child Evangelism of Central Florida has “Good News Backyard Clubs”, after school clubs (where permitted by principals), outreach at the Central FL Fair, summer camps, training for workers with children, a teenage program, and other activities. Support is sent from CUMC to this ministry.

Life Skills Jail Ministry

This ministry began when our Pastoral Care Coordinator, Pastor Dick Mailman, went to the county jailhouse to visit an inmate. After accepting God’s call to minister to inmates, Chaplain Mailman has continued, for several years, to offer classroom teaching, personal and spiritual counseling for inmates, as well as guidance to officers and personnel of the jail system. Mailman’s ministry takes place at the John Polk Correctional Facility and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Sanford; also, the Orange County 33rd Street Jail, as well as the Central FL Reception Center for the State Prison, both located in Orlando.

The materials provided through The Life Skills Jail Ministry are classroom books (bibles, life skills books, etc.), the Twelve Steps addiction program, and video tapes for class room study, pencils and paper. Bus tickets and clothing are also provided for needy inmates when they are released.

Pastor Mailman spends about 20 hours per week teaching classes at the jail, offering instruction to an average of 300 inmates per week. In addition, he counsels (one-on-one with inmates and their families) an average of 10 hours per week.

The Men’s Ministry of CUMC provides monetary help (through fund-raising) to this vital Jail Ministry. In addition, there are volunteers (many from our church) who give of their time delivering Chaplain Mailman to the jails and taking him back home. This team of volunteers also delivers materials and Christmas gifts to family members and inmates as they are needed.